Now That Youre in Shape: Simple Ways to Change Up Your Wardrobe

Congratulations! You've finally lost the weight! And you know better than anyone that there's nothing more exciting than slipping into a smaller pair of jeans and buttoning them up while still being able to breathe normally. You probably also know that while buying smaller clothes can be a big sense of pride and a great way to reward yourself for all the hard work you've been putting in, after major weight loss, it can be costly to redo your whole wardrobe--especially if you still have more weight to lose.

Continuously having to purchase new clothes to fit your ever-shrinking frame can quickly cause your bank account to shrink as well...if you let it.

Follow these tips to save money on new clothes, while still looking fly and showing off your fabulous new frame:

1. Buy Things That Fit You Now

Don't buy smaller sizes in anticipation of weight loss. Even if you do drop more pounds, your proportions may change and some clothes may not fit you as well as you'd anticipated. Don't waste money by buying clothes you won't be able to wear.

2. Be Thrifty

Thrift and consignment stores are great places to buy clothes for cheap. Go through your closet and gather up all of your now too-big clothing. You don't need it anymore because you will maintain your weight loss and have no use for them (right?). So sell those clothes to a consignment shop and use the money you get to put towards some new duds.

3. Invest in 1-2 Good Pair of Jeans

Properly fitting denim can do wonders for your silhouette and show off your new curves, but no need to buy more than that. You can wear jeans over and over and no one will be the wiser.



4. Get Measured for a Properly Fitting Bra

Most women wear the wrong sized bra anyway, but with drop in weight, your bra size is going to change so support your girls, right? Most higher-end retailers will measure you for free but don't feel obligated to purchase their more pricey wares. Take your knowledge--and your new size--and head to a cheaper place to make the actual purchase.

5. Swap It Out

Hold a clothing swap with your newly-thinner friends. Everyone can bring a bag of clothes they've grown out of, or haven't worn in a long time, to trade. Make healthy snacks to have on hand and everyone can have a great time swapping clothes, trying on their new outfits--and complimenting you on how great you look in yours.

You don't have to spend too much to downsize your wardrobe. Save your dough for more important things, like personal training or a pair of great running shoes.

Kelly Turner is a Seattle-based ACE-certified personal trainer and professional fitness writer. She began writing after becoming frustrated with the confusing and conflicting fitness information in the media and the quick-fix, gimmick-centered focus of the fitness industry itself. Her no-nonsense, practical advice has been featured on DietsInReview.com, FitnessMagazine.com, Yahoo! Shine, and she has a regular fitness column in The Seattle Times. Kelly has her own blog at www.kellyturnerfitness.com or follow her on Twitter @KellyTurnerFit.

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